Deaths in Afghanistan

MOD: Reports that two more soldiers have died in Afghanistan, the soldiers were from the " 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment ". Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 253 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 220 in combat operations and 33 due to illness, accidents or other incidents. This feels like another bad year folks.

1.6(T) DEBT for the USA

Today President Obama announced the US Budget for the next year, the US tax payer found that the Obama Administration had finally shown it true colours, it will give the USA a debt of 1.6 trillion. The President stated following in remarks, " Our economy has lost 7 million jobs over the last two years. And our government is deeply in debt after what can only be described as a decade of profligacy. " The Obama White House seems to have forgotten its been in power for a year, it has spent like a drunk sailor, the problem is the credit cards belongs to the USA tax payer not the Chicago team in the White House. Then President then stated the following, " As a result, when I first walked through the door, the deficit stood at $1.3 trillion..." This Obama Budget will take that debt up to 1.6 Trillion, and he will raise taxes on those that can afford to spend money and thus boost consumer spending. The President stated his attempts to boost the economy, " So we initiated a rescue, and that rescue was not without significant cost; it added to the deficit as well. " The rescue failed, the President stated that if the Congress didn't pass his economic package the rate of those out of work would go beyond 8%, the Congress bought this con, the actual result is that those that are out of work is now at 10%, if you count those on part time work or have give up you would get a figure of 20%. Thus the Obama economic plan is a disaster, also the Congress could pass health care reform, this would also add to the deficit. An interesting view of the problems faced by the Government and the people of the USA, the President stated the following, " One year later, because of the steps we've taken, we're in a very different place. But we can't simply move beyond this crisis; we have to address the irresponsibility that led to it. And that includes the failure to rein in spending, as well a reliance on borrowing –- from Wall Street to Washington to Main Street –- to fuel our growth. That's what we have to change. We have to do what families across America are doing: Save where we can so that we can afford what we need. " Thus why did Obama spend a year on health care reform when the US could not afford it, why did he bail out in union friends at the car makers. Obama must really believe his own press statements. At least on the political front Obama is sticking to jobs, the President stated the following, " The budget includes new tax cuts for people who invest in small businesses, tax credits for small businesses that hire new workers, investments that will create jobs repairing roads and bridges, and tax breaks for retrofitting homes to save energy. " At least Oval has got the message, the voter wants the President to make jobs his major effort for the year. Also the Oval has got the message that Independent voters don't want stupid spending of their money, the President stated the following, " I've proposed a freeze in government spending for three years. This won't apply to the benefits folks get through Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare. And it won't apply to our national security –- including benefits for veterans. But it will apply to all other discretionary government programs. And we're not simply photocopying last year's budget; freezing spending does not mean we won't cut what doesn't work to pay for what does. We have gone through every department's spending line by line, item by item, looking for inefficiency, duplication, and programs that have outlived their usefulness. That's how we freeze discretionary spending. Last year, we found $17 billion in cuts. This year, we've already found $20 billion. " The problem is that will 1.6 trillion of debt, any cuts are paper cuts, there has to be cuts in domestic spending or its all spin. The most ironic part of the statement by Obama is the following, " I welcome any idea, from Democrats and Republicans. What I will not welcome -– what I reject -– is the same old grandstanding when the cameras are on, and the same irresponsible budget policies when the cameras are off. It's time to hold Washington to the same standards families and businesses hold themselves. It's time to save what we can, spend what we must, and live within our means once again. " The President has been forced to listen, he has lost his 60 votes in the Senate, thus due to the Mass vote the Republicans if they hold together can hold up the Obama Agenda even block it, lets see how Obama deals with Republicans who can say NO and it gets them votes. Fun times ahead on the Hill folks.

Counter THRAET to Iran

Fox News: Reports on the missile defence sales to " Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait ". These sales will give comfort to the allies of the United States and counter the threat from Iran, the true pace of Iran's nuclear development is still open to debate, it seems that the immediate threat is to the neighbours of Iran. Also if Iran was ever mad enough to attack the USA with a nuclear weapon the US would wipe Iran from the face of the earth, its that simple. Thus the growing tensions will be in the Middle East, will Israel see that President Obama will protect them, that the missiles sales will be a counter to Iran and also give Israel some second thoughts about attacking Iran. Lets be honest folks, we need more on the ground intelligence from MI6 and the CIA as to the present level of Iran's threat to Western security. At present it seems that the immediate threat is local, but local can go global these days; the banking crisis; thus what was a local threat yesterday become a world threat the next day, lets recall Iran can buy the information it needs to become a member the nuclear club, the seller is of course North Korea.

Pressure on Iran by Obama Administration

Guardian: Takes its lead from recent reports in the USA that the Obama Administration is building up its missile defence in the Persian Gulf, the article states the following, " appears to be a deliberate attempt by the White House to ratchet up pressure on Iran ahead of attempts to increase sanctions against the country. ". It can be argued that the elite left in the USA and the UK do not want to deal with Iran in a serious matter, a recent article in the liberal NYT pointed out all the problem with the regime in Tehran and the answer, do nothing and wait, well if the Israel waits it might find that Iran has the bomb and become a direct threat to Israel. Thus as stated in previous post it looks like Obama is going for a policy of containment, lets see if it works, also will Israel buy the product, it easy for Obama to state containment, its Israel that has a greater threat to its existence. It really depends what Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency thinks the chances of a nuclear armed Iran is, if they see it a direct threat the government in Israel will take action and Obama will have to support them, otherwise a failed one term President. Iran is will be the major flash point this year folks, lets see if Obama can go beyond his own arrogance and deal with Iran in a military manner.

Obama and the THREAT from Iran

The New York Times: Reports that the Obama Administration is building up its missile defence protection in the Persian Gulf, the article states the following, " placing special ships off the Iranian coast and antimissile systems in at least four Arab countries, according to administration and military officials. ". It can be postulated that the Obama Administration is following the Cold War model when it comes to Iran, as with the USSR, the USA is seems is following a containment policy, the question that has to be asked is Obama another Harry Truman, does he have the right policy, over all the Truman policy worked but it was Reagan that wanted to finish off the USSR, thus Obama needs a containment plus, keep Iran at bay but also making sure that the regime in Tehran can be undermined, the same policy Reagan followed when it came to Poland and the USSR. It should be noted that Truman had dropped nuclear bombs on Japan thus he was seen as a strong President, while Obama is seen as weak by the rest of the world. The real question is will Israel trust the Obama Administration, if Israel thinks Obama will sell out Israel they will attack Iran, just ask Iraq and Syria if Israel will wait, the answer is no, thus interesting time ahead folks.

Obama at 48% Approval - Gallup

Gallup: Reports that President Obama has a 48% approval rating, while 45% of Americans have a negative of President Obama and his job performance. Thus it looks like the State of Union Address didn't have that much of an appeal, could it be that the US voter has not just turned against the Obama Agenda, they also don't like President Obama. As stated in previous post Obama could be a one hit wonder, reaching mass appeal in a limited time, but then falling to earth. Thus Obama might turn in to the 2nd Jimmy Carter.

Health Care Reform DEAD

The New York Times: Reports on the White House view of the Agenda for President Obama this year, the Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stated the following, " act first on job creation, reducing the deficit and imposing tighter regulation on banks before returning to the health measure,.... " In other words moderate and conservative Democrats tell the Liberals to get lost, health care reform is dead folks, by the time they reach health care the Mid Term Elections will be in full swing, no way is the House or the Senate Democrats going to vote for a measure that will hand Congress over to the Republicans. Health Care Reform will have to wait for another time, another defeat.